Bomb Explodes Near Restaurant in Russian Moscow, 3 Dead and 21 Injured

JAKARTA - A homemade bomb explosion carried by a woman shook the area around a famous restaurant in the center of Moscow, Russia, on Saturday, July 1 at night local time. This bloody incident killed at least three people and injured at least 21 others.

Based on information from the local police, the massive explosion occurred shortly before 20.00 pm. The scene was located right next to an Italian restaurant occupying one of the seven historic skyscrapers left over from the Stalin era on Kudrinskaya Square.

The Russian Anti-Terrorism Committee confirmed that the explosion occurred when an unidentified woman tried to break into the restaurant. However, her movement stopped after being stopped by security officers at the entrance.

Moments after the barricade, the bomb exploded violently. State news agency RIA reported that three people were killed in the incident, including the woman who planted the bomb, the security officer who stopped her, and a visitor to the Balzi Rossi restaurant.

The police added that dozens of injured victims had varying degrees of severity and were immediately rushed to the nearest hospital. The video footage released showed fully armed police officers immediately securing and closing off the area around the scene of the incident from public access.

Until now, Russian authorities have not released the official identities of the victims nor revealed who was the main mastermind behind the terror attack. Intensive investigation is still ongoing at the scene.

Meanwhile, the daily newspaper Kommersant quoted an internal source as saying that the bomb appeared to have been deliberately designed to injure and kill guests in the restaurant's outdoor terrace area.

The report also raised strong suspicions that the bomb was detonated remotely by another perpetrator. It is possible that the woman carrying the explosives did not realize that the item she was carrying was a deadly homemade bomb.

The management of the Balzi Rossi restaurant confirmed through their official website that on Saturday, their business was actually closed to the public because it was rented for a private event.